MINUTES OF THE MEETING

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The College of Education Executive Committee met on Thursday, June 8, 2006, at 8:30 a.m. in Room 255 in the Education Center with Dean Gunter presiding. Members present were: Drs. McGahee, Gerber, Reffel, Lee, Hull, Martinez, Zahner, Griffin, Hilgert, Bauer, Leech,

Mr. Pearce, and Ms. Roberts. Guest: Dr. Judd.

Dr. Hull reported on the trip to the Czech Republic which she, Dean Gunter, and Dr. Stelzer made last week. The purpose of the trip was to collaborate with faculty at the University of Palacky in Olomouc, Czech Republic. The collaborative efforts were focused in the areas of special education, communication disorders, and deaf education. The group visited several public schools as well as the School for the Deaf in Olomouc.

Dr. Bauer reported on the "Study Abroad" program which had just been completed in the Czech Republic. Twenty-four VSU students participated in the program over a three-week period. The students completed studies in industrial psychology, educational psychology, organizational psychology, and in Czech Studies. The students visited schools in the Czech Republic, as well as visited Vienna, Krakow, and Auschwitz. Dr. Bauer is already making plans for next year's study abroad program.

Dean Gunter announced that he had received word that Dr. Jerry Bailey from the University of Kansas will serve as the NCATE chair for our accreditation visit in October. Dr. Richard Harrison, Associate Dean of the College of Education at Augusta State University, will serve as chair of the PSC team. Dean Gunter is attempting to schedule the pre-visit for the two chairs on August 14.

Dr. Lee demonstrated the "evidence center" in LiveText which will be available to the accreditation team members. She explained that much of the documentation for the visit will be available through LiveText. For data which is not available through LiveText, it will be possible to put a link in LiveText to connect to a website. Dr. Lee reminded department heads that all departments should be working on assessments. Dr. Lee reminded everyone that the team will arrive on October 20 and that the actual review will take place October 21-25. Dr. Lee also announced that ten COE faculty would attend the LiveText workshop in Chicago on July 12-15.

Dr. Gerber reported on the deans' council meeting he had attended for Dean Gunter yesterday. He said that three topics were discussed: (1) websites--attempts are being made to make all campus websites consistent, (2) graduate programs--Dr. Adler discussed the declining enrollment in doctoral programs; Dean Gunter is going to request that Dr. Adler come to a future meeting of Executive Committee to discuss this issue, and (3) orientation--lack of enough courses for fall semester, such as perspectives and early science courses; Dr. Levy suggested that attempts be made to put new students in more social science and English classes.

Ms. Roberts distributed a schedule of orientation sessions for summer semester.

Dean Gunter distributed a tentative agenda for the Executive Committee retreat scheduled for June 25-27 at Jekyll Island. The focus of the retreat will be on COE data and our use of that data for program and unit improvement.

Dean Gunter reminded department heads that departmental annual reports were due to him by June 22.

Ms. Roberts distributed a list of schools and the dates they will be on campus to take part in the "If I Had a Hammer" project.

Dean Gunter announced that he had signed the technology MOU with Joe Newton. Dr. Levy will ask Dr. Zaccari to review and approve it. If approved by Dr. Zaccari, as of July 1, all requests for technology needs should be made to the IT HelpDesk.

Dean Gunter announced that Mr. Don Puckett would again be on campus on August 18 with his C.L.U.E. for Success workshop.

Dr. McGahee announced that the COE Scholarship and Honors Committee had selected Marissa Melton, Tonya Stalvey, Dana Pearce, Waltraud Williams, and Margaret Matthews as the five COE nominees for the Georgia Power New Teacher Assistance Grant. One of these nominees will be selected by Georgia Power as the recipient of a $1000 cash award. Dr. McGahee will forward the names of the five nominees to Georgia Power.

Dr. Martinez reminded everyone that his department will sponsor a workshop on "virtual reality in teaching" on Friday, June 23.

The next meeting of Executive Committee will be June 22.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,